A 31-year-old man was yesterday jailed for eight years after admitting his part in an attack which left a 63-year-old man with permanent injuries to his face.

Roddelle Earlston Lightbourne was handed down two eight-year sentences to run concurrently for wounding Donald Hassell with intent to disfigure and burglarising the man's Sandys home on December 29. The maximum sentence for each offence is ten years.

Chief Justice Austin Ward also ordered the unemployed father to undergo rehabilitation for violent behaviour and drug use while at the Westgate Correctional Facility.

Lightbourne's co-accused, 33-year-old Duvall Binns, of Cricket Lane, Sandys has denied the charges and will stand trial on October 7. Crown counsel Vinette Graham-Allen told the court that Lightbourne and "another person not before the court", rendered Mr. Hassell's face permanently disfigured in the attack.

The court heard how Mr. Hassell secured his home before going to bed at 9 p.m. on December 28, and was awakened at 6 a.m. the next morning by what sounded like a lock or door knob moving. Mr. Hassell entered the hallway to inspect the house and was attacked by Lightbourne and the other person. The pair continuously punched and kicked Mr. Hassell and stole $640 before leaving the premises.

The elderly man sustained a number of facial and other injuries including a broken jawbone, a chipped tooth, a right facial scar, massive swelling and an irregular heartbeat. A neighbour took him to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Royal Gazette understands that Mr. Hassell's jaw never healed properly and that the scar to his right cheek is permanent.Fingerprints on the door frame and dresser were identified as Lightbourne's. He was arrested later that day.

Mrs. Graham-Allen acknowledged that Lightbourne, who has been in custody since his arrest, should receive a discount in his sentence for the guilty plea he gave on May 1.

However, she asked the court to keep in mind the nature of the offences, their impact on the victim, and that he had a number of convictions for similar offences. Lightbourne had also violated a suspended sentence in effect at the time of the offence. But lawyer Elizabeth Christopher, representing Lightbourne, said that five to seven years would be an appropriate sentence for her client.

"A great discount should be given for his guilty plea.The only evidence that implicated him was a finger print," Ms Christopher said. "I would submit that it's not terribly strong evidence."

Ms Christopher also questioned whether Mr. Hassell's heart complications could be blamed on the assault. But Mr. Justice Ward said: "What can be said is that the complainant sustained a beating at 63 years old. And at 63 years old he would have some problems as a result."

Mr. Justice Ward also told Ms Christopher that any claim that Lightbourne was less responsible for the offence made no sense.

Lightbourne gave a lengthy apology to the court and to his victim.

"I know that most people don't like to confess regret, but I would be standing here lying if I said that I don't regret what happened," he said.